Back to basics..............

As I rebuild my bike and prepare for my Ironman training, I realize that during this off season it is not just important to strip the bike of problems and replace them. This off season is a time for me to take a total inventory of all that I am, remove anything that will not help me achieve my goals and replace them with what I need to become an Ironman.
As the old components come off my bike, I realize how much garbage gets in the way of the bikes ability to function properly. I consider the same of myself and look for ways to exchange bad habits for strengths.

Nutrition: This is easy, I have no excuse for not eating well. I know how. I have good foods available to me from good sources. My daily Blueberry muffin/coffee breakfast is gone. I have replaced it with bananas, apples, oranges, yogurt, energy bars, water, and half the coffee. Variety is key.
Chicken/turkey, cheese, sauce, and bread(Subs) are not meals. Neither is pizza. Jolly ranchers and cookies may be great race food but they will not make me into an Ironman. Vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains and fish. This is now my path. Ironman does not head out for pizza before bed. If I want to be an Ironman I will stop at the co-op or market and buy good foods. Eating cheap food on Coventry is like pouring pop into my derailur. Neither the bike or I will function properly If I keep adding garbage into the works.

Swimming: I am not a fast swimmer in freestyle. I swam breast stroke on swimteam as a kid. I used it during my first season in triathlon. It is my comfort zone, but it is not energy or space efficiant for triathlon. Jen used to teach me good technique for the front crawl, but I remain slow. I feel unbalanced in my stroke mechanics and drag my body thru the water.
I want to enter the Ironman waters of Sherborn Lake with absolute confidence in my swimming. I do not want to waist energy. I want the swim to be a relaxed warm up for the bike.
I have been offered a free swim lesson by a teacher. I will most likely continue beyond the free lesson and pay for more lessons along with joining a masters group. I have been reluctant to join a group because I hated swim team as a kid. Time to get over it.

Stretching/lifting/core strength: takes 30 minutes three times a week. The gym is my apt. No excuses for not doing this session. In two weeks of steady sessions I already notice my body getting stronger and the benefits transferring to my running.

Loneliness: This one is tough, because I know I am cared about by many people in a genuine way.
I am friendly with all of the neighbors. I have Zac, Nichole, Becca, Addie, Brendon, and the rest of the AJ Roccos Crowd. Coventry treats me like royalty and continues to embrace me with love. The Cleveland Triathlon Club gives me contact with many who share my passion. Jack, Jodi, Jennifer and Cathleen are also heading into Ironman for the first time next year. Jen, Andrew, Payton, and Matt have been to the IM mountain. All have offered support along the way. My family's love and support is always present.
But triathlon is a lonely sport. It is a sport of self focus. Hours and hours for months and months as miles and meters roll by. I am on my own.
I am a single man with a goal of Ironman. I have little to offer in terms of time at this point in my life. Romance is remote and I am OK with that.
I have no regret or past resentments towards Jen for the time she spent training. I actually look back at being an IM spouse with great appreciation. Sharing her journey was an enriching part of who I am today. But I know the commitment to Ironman is huge and being the partner to an athlete trying to become an Ironman is also a huge commitment. I can't expect that from anyone.
I love to be loved and loneliness is an inherent part of the journey. But loneliness is self defeating and selfish. I have no need for loneliness. Loneliness will not make me an Ironman.

During this time, I must draw from my spirituality to overcome loneliness. I know I am never alone. I know I have alot of people that will be there with me thru out the journey, finish or fail, I am never alone.


I am the most important and irreplaceable piece of equipment I have. Just as I take care of my bike and gear I must care for my body, mind and spirit. Anything I do during my training is coming with me to the UK. It is up to me to make the right choices. I must rebuild my foundation to support an Ironman. Right now I must get back to basics....